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Gods of Poker Debuts with Three Major Stops Announced

Gods of Poker Debuts with Three Major Stops Announced

Gama Rae ComaingkingTravel, Poker, Poker Tournament, Lifestyle6 months ago518 Views

Manila, Philippines—A new Asia-based poker tour is entering the live tournament scene. Gods of Poker (GOP), founded by veteran tournament director Lloyd Fontillas, has officially launched. The series is backed by industry support from Chinese Texas Hold’em Poker Club (CTP), Japan Poker Player Services (JPPS), Hong Kong Poker Players Association (HKPPA), and DK Poker Tour Booking, with iPoker as the official online partner.

The series positions itself as a player-focused alternative in the region, aiming to revive fairness, balance, and community-driven experiences often associated with the game’s most memorable tours.

“If you love good poker, great people, and the feeling that you’re part of something — this is the tour you’ve been waiting for.” Lloyd Fontillas, GOP Founder, General Manager & Executive Tournament Director.

GOP unveils its first three events scheduled from late 2025 to early 2026.

First Three Stops Confirmed

Eden Awakens – Jeju, South Korea

December 5–14, 2025 – Landing Casino, Jeju Shinhwa World

The inaugural event will take place at Landing Casino inside Jeju Shinhwa World, a luxury resort surrounded by UNESCO-protected landscapes and coastal attractions.

The Titan Assembly – Taipei, Taiwan

January 8–18, 2026 – CTP Asia Poker Arena

The second stop is set for Taiwan’s CTP Asia Poker Arena, placing players in the heart of Taipei’s poker scene while offering easy access to the city’s cultural and nightlife districts.

The Coiled Path – Phnom Penh, Cambodia

March 26–April 5, 2026 – NagaWorld Integrated Resort

The third festival will be staged at Phnom Penh’s NagaWorld Integrated Resort, combining tournament play with fine dining, five-star amenities, and a vibrant entertainment complex.

Each stop is expected to feature a slate of mid- to high-stakes tournaments. Buy-ins will be positioned to mirror the standards of established Asian tours, with prize pools designed to reward traveling players and maintain competitive depth.

Introducing the Cronus Structure

GOP will also introduce the Cronus Structure, an exclusive tournament format designed to address long-standing concerns over slow early levels and short-stack late entries.

Registration closes after two levels.

Structures include:

Main Event, High Roller Specials & Key Events: 120-60-30
Turbos: 100-50-25
Titan Stack: 160-80-40
Kraken Stack: 200-100-50

Organizers claim the approach could save up to four hours of play time, depending on the format, while maintaining fairness and competitive integrity.

Main Event Format

The GOP Main Event will feature a split approach to structure. The first three flights will conclude once players reach the money, shortening the traditional day-long grind.

The final flight will run over two days with one-hour levels post-registration, offering a deeper-play experience for those who prefer longer sessions.

Partnership with iPoker

As the tour’s official online sponsor, iPoker will operate satellites and the GOP Quest system, awarding tournament dollars usable at any GOP event. The network’s global reach is expected to expand access to the live tour beyond its host cities.

Discussions are already underway for a potential GOP Online Series, which would complement the live schedule.

Leadership and Future Plans

The leadership team consists of Lloyd Fontillas as Founder, General Manager, and Executive Tournament Director, and Ray Chiu as CEO. Both bring experience from overseeing some of Asia’s largest poker events.

Chiu emphasized the tour’s ambition to prioritize entertainment and atmosphere, stating: “Our goal is simple — to create the most loved and fun-filled event for the world to experience.”

Following the three initial stops, the GOP has confirmed plans for five additional events in 2026, including festivals in Taiwan, South Korea, and the Philippines. The complete schedule will be released before the end of 2025.